Switch-stand.



H. E. BILLMAN & L. R. MANN. SWITCH STAND.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 16, 1913.

1,1 20,364, Patented Dec. 8, 1914.

3 SHEETS BHBET 1 WW. 14% 4 4.2% iza w" E3 VZ 0mg.

H. E. BILLMAN 8: L. R. MANN. SWITCH STAND.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 16,1913.

1 1 20,364, Patented Dec. 8, 1914,

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

H. E. BILLMAN & L. R. MANN.

SWITCH STAND.

APPLICATION TILED JUNE 16, 1913.

Patented Dec. 8, 1914.

3 SHEETS SHEET 3.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HENRY E. BILLMAN.AND LEO B. MANN, OF'ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

SWITCH-STAND.

Specification of Letters Iatent.

Patented Dec. 8, 1914.

Application filed June 16, 1913. Serial-No. 773,846.

This invention relates to switch-stands,

and has for its object to provide a switchstand having improved mechanism, which not only insures the positive throwing of the switch-points, but, also, effects the positixe setting of the signal.

It has been found that switch-stands in which gears are employed for the purpose of transmitting movement from the throwing lever to the connecting rod for moving the switch-points are objectionable on account of the lost motion incident to the use of unmachined gears, which become worn so that, when the throwing lever is moved its complete stroke, the latter does not throw the switch-points the necessary distance, the result being that the'switch-poi-nts are sometimes left in such position relative to the rails as to cause the wheels to .split the switch, and the signal is left in an inexact position. These objectionable features are eliminated in the present invention, which contemplates the provision of a switch-stand having improved mechanism, which effects the positive throwing of the switch-points and the positive setting of the signal without the use of gears, and, furthermore, effectively locks the operating crank after the switch-points have been thrown and the signal has been set.

Another object of the present invention resides in the provision of an improved switch-stand having means for effectively holding and locking the extreme end of one or both of the switch-points closely against the adjacent rail or rails.

Further, the present invention consists of the novel features of construction and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings forming part of this specification, in which like numbers of reference denote like parts wherever they occur, Figure 1 is a plan view of a switclrstand embodying the present invention, showing same in connection with a railway switch; Fig. 2 is a top plan view, on an enlarged scale, of the switch-stand; Fig. 3 is an endelevation of same; Fig. 4 is a side elevation of same; Figs. 5 and 6 are detailed perspective views of parts of the switchstand; Fig. 7 is a side elevation of part of the bar, which is connected to the extremeend of one of theswitch-points; and Figs. 8 and 9 are plan views of alternate forms of the operating crank.

The switch illustrated in the drawings ineludes the switch-points 1, which are connected by the tie-rods 2 and are movable between the rails 3, the latter being supported on and secured to the ties 4 in the usual manner and one of the tie-rods being connected to the connecting rod 5, by means of which the switch-points are thrown in the manner hereinafter described. These parts may be of any usual form and construction,

The switclrstand consists of a base 6, which is preferably U-shaped to fit between two ties 1 and has end extensions 7, the latter resting upon said ties and beingv secured thereto by lag-screws 8 or other suitable means. A. pillow-block 9 having an-elongated central opening 10 and downwardlydiverging ends, which rest upon the exten- $101187, respectively, has a pair of bearings 11, in which the trunnions 12 borne by a crank 13: are supported, said trunnions being retained in said bearings by caps 14, which are fastened to said pillow-block by bolts 15 or other suitable means. Shoulders 16 on the ends of the pillow-block engage the inner walls of the base 6 and thereby prevent longitudinal movement of said pillowblock. One of the trunnions 12 extends beyond a side of the pillow-block 9 and has the throwing lever 17 secured thereto by any suitable means, the free end of said throwing lever bearing a weight 17 to facilitate the throwing of the switch-points. I The throwing lever 17 is arranged to move through substantially 180 degrees in a vertical plane'and is limited in such movement by a pair of uprights 18. These uprights 18 are located adjacent to the ends, respectively, of the pillow-block 9, and have laterally-projecting arms 19, which rest upon flanges block, said arms being secured to the flanges 20 by means of bolts 21 or the like. which bolts, also, secure said flanges to the end extensions of the base 6. The uprights 18 have their upper ends bifurcated so that,

20 borne by the ends of the pillowwhen the throwing lever 17 occupies sub stantially a horizontal position, said lever will rest upon an upright 18 and will extend between the prongs 22 of the latter, one of said prongs being preferably longer than the other and having an opening 23 for the reception of the hasp of a padlock 24 or other suitable device for locking the throwing lever in its horizontal positions.

The crank 13 is preferably U-shaped and receives a member 25 between its arms, said member having a verticalv slot 26 through which the crank-pin 27 extends, an antifriction roller 27 being revolubly mounted on said pin. Said crank preferably extends in the opposite direction from the throwing lever 17 so that, when the latter is moved through an arc of substantially 180 degrees above the horiaontal plane through the axis of the trunnions 12, the former will be moved through an arc of substantially 180 degrees below said plane. The member 25 bears a pair of oppositely-extending arms 28, which arms extendthroughslots 29 in the bottom of the ends of the pillow-block 9 and rest upon the end extensions 7, respectively, of the base 6, and, when said mem her is reciprocated, said arms reciprocate through said slots. A pin 30 borne by the bottom of the member 25 extends through a cam slot 31 in the operating crank 32, which is pivotally mounted on a pin 33 secured in an opening in the base 6 adjacent to one side thereof, and projects into a slot 34in said base, the sides of the portion of said "pin 30 that projects into the slot 34 beingi'ireferably flat to fit against the .Wallsof thel-atter. Another opening 33, which is. formed in the other side of the base 6, permits the pin 33 to be secured therein, if so desired. The cam slot 31 is preferably Y-shaped having two branches 35 disposed at substantially a right-angle to each other, and the third branch extending radially to the pin and substantially bisectingthe vertical angle of the branches 35, as best seen in Fig. 2. Said crank 32 bears a pair of oppositelydisposed arms 36, to one of which arms the connecting rod 5 is pivotally connected by means of a pin 37 or the like, which is preferably removably secured in an opening 38 in said arm, the other arm, also, having an opening 38 for the reception of said pin, when it is desired to change the direction of the movement of the connecting rod'with respect to the throwing lever 17, and said connecting rod being retained on said pin by a cotter-pin 39 or other suitable means. A vertical shaft 40, which is locateddirectly above the pin 33, has a cup'shaped base 41, which fits over the upper end of the pin and rests upon the crank 32, being secured to the latter by screws 42 or other suitable means. This shaft 40 bears the usual target vanes 43 and has a lamp-plug 44 secured to "to enter the other branch 35 of the slot 31 its upper end to allow a signal-lamp (not shown in the drawings) to be mounted thereon in the usual manner.

. Normally, the member 25 occupies a positron in which the pin 30 stands in the end of one of the branches 35 of the slot 31 and thereby holds the crank 32 in such position that said branch 35 coincides with the path of movement of the pin 30, with the result of keeping the switch-points locked in their set position. \Vhen it is desired to throw the switch-points, the throwing lever 17 is moved through an arc of substantially 180 degrees as hereinabove described. The branches 35 of the cam slot 31 are preferably so arranged relative to the throwing lever 17 that, when the latter is moved through the first degrees of its movement, the crank 13 moves the member sufiiciently to cause the pin to travel through and pass out of one of the branches of the slot 31 without eliecting rotary movement of the operating crank 32. This movement of the member 25 merely unlocks the switch, and during the next 90 degrees of the movement of the lever 17 the crank 13 moves the member 25 farther in the same direction and thereby causes the pin 30 to enter the radial branch of the slot 31 and to engage one side of same, whereby said pin rotates the operating crank 32 through substantially 90 degrees, with the result that said throwing crank eli'ects the positive throwing oi the switch-points 1 through the medium of the connecting rod 5. This rotary movement of V the operating crank 32 causes the vertical shaft to rotate through substantially 90 degrees and thereby elfects the positive setting of the target vanes and signal-lamp. During the last 45 degrees of the movement of the lever 17, the crank 13 moves the member 25 farther and thereby causes the pin 30 and to move to the end of said branch, which branch will have been moved to a position in which same coincides with the path of movement of the pin 30. This last movement of the lever 17 causes the pin 30 to lock the operating crank 32 in its new position and thereby prevents the switch-points 1 and the shaft 40 from being moved until the throwing lever 17 is moved in the reverse direction through more than 45 degrees, as hereinabove described.

It will be evident that, by reason of the connecting rod 5 and the shaft 40 being directly connected to the operating crank 32, the signal shaft 40 moves synchronously with the switch-points 1 and thereby causes the target vanes or signal-lamp to indicate the exact position of the switch-points. It will be seen that this arrangement eliminates all lost motion and insures the posi tive throwing of the switch-points and the positive setting of the signal.

ma am As an auxiliary means for locking the switch-points 1 in a position to keep the main line closed, the following mechanism is provided: A plate is bolted or other wise secured to the web of the particular switch-point 1 that is held against one of the rails 3, when the switch is set for the main line, being located adjacent to the extreme end of said switch-point and bearing a depending lug 46. The screw-threaded end 47 of a bar or rod 48, which extends underneath the rail 3, extends through an opening in the lug 46, and is secured to said lug by nuts 49, which fit against the opposite sides of same and afford a means for adjusting said bar. The other end of said bar 48 rests in a transverse groove 50 in a member 51, the latter bearing a pair of arms 52, which arms are spaced apart in parallel relation to receive therebetween one of the arms 28 of the member 25 and are secured to an end extension 7 of the base 6 by bolts 53 and, also, to a tie 4 by lag-screws 8. A groove 54 in the upper face of the member 5L registers in the path of movement of the arm 28 to receive same, as shown in Fig. 2, and communicates with the groove 50, being preferably arranged to extend substantially perpendicular to the latter. The bar 48 has a transverse groove 55 in its upper edge and, when the switch-points are thrown for the main line, said groove 55 registers in the path of movement of the arm 28 and communicates with the groove 54 to receive the end of said arm. A lug 56 borne by the member 51 extends over the groove 54 and prevents the arm 28 from working or being lifted out of the groove 54, when said arm extends across the groove 50. By this arrangement, when the lever 17 is moved to the position depicted in Figs. 2 and 4, so as to throw the switch-points 1 for the main line, the particular switch-point 1 that bears the plate 45 moves the bar 48 to the position in which the groove 55 in the latter registers with the groove 54 in the member 51 before the last 45 degrees of the movement of the throwing lever 17. During the last 45 degrees of the movement of the lever 17 same causes the member 25 to complete its movement, whereby the end of one of the arms 28 of the member 25 moves across the groove 50 and through the groove 55 in the bar 48, with the result of locking said bar in position to hold the extreme end of the switch-point 1 connected thereto closely against the rail 3 adjacent to same, as best seen in Fig. 3. Reverse movement of the lever 17 withdraws the end of the arm 28 from the groove 55 in the bar 48 during the first 45 degrees of such reverse movement, so that when the switch-points 1 are thrown for the turnout, the bar 48 will travel with the switch-point 1, to which same is attached, and will thereby move the groove 55 out of registration with the groove 54, leaving, however, the end of said bar resting in the groove 50.

It will be evident that the connection of the connecting rod 5 with the proper arm 36 of the operating crank 32 is governed by theswitclnwhich may be either a right-hand or a left-hand one, and, also, by the location of the switch-stand, which may be located on either side of the track. Furthermore, the member 51 may be detached from the extension 7 at one end of the base 6 and secured to the extension 7 at the other end of the base, its location being, also, governed by the switch and the location of the switchstand.

If desired, one of the arms 36 may be omitted entirely from the operating crank 32 and said crank may be provided with only one arm'36, as depicted in Fig. 8, and the pin 37 removably secured in the opening 38 so that same may be removed and the crank inverted with the pin pro ecting from the reverse side of said crank, or both arms 36 may be omitted entirely from the crank and the latter provided with a lug having a screw-threaded opening 59 to receive an eye-bolt 60, as illustrated in Fig. 9, to which eve-bolt the connecting rod 5 may be attached. This eye-bolt 60 may be inserted into opening 59 from either side of the latter, and affords a means for adjusting the throw of the switch-points.

A member 57, which may be either a rod or a flexible element may be fastened to one of the arms 28 of the member 25, so that power may be obtained from said arm to operate a distant signal, cross-over switch, derail, frog, etc., (not shown in the drawings).

We claim:

1. In a switch-stand, the combination with an actuator for the switch, of a base, a member pivoted to said base and connected with the switch actuator, a member reciprocatively mounted on said base and having means for actuating and locking said pivoted member, a pillow-block supported by and secured to said base, and means supported by said pillow-block for actuating said reciprocatory member.

2. In a switch-stand, the combination with an actuator for the switch, of a base, a member pivoted to said base and connected with the switch actuator, a member reciprocatively mounted on said base and having means for actuating and locking said pivoted member, a pillow-block supported by and secured to said base, a crank revolubly supported by said illow-block having means for actuating said reciprocatory member, and means for actuating said crank.

3. In a switch-stand, the combination with an actuator for the switch, of a base, a

member pivoted to sald base and connected with the switch actuator, a member reciprocatively mounted on said base and having means for actuating and locking said pivoted member, a pillow-block supported by and secured to said base, a crank revolubly sup 'iorted by said pillow-block having means for actuating said reciprocatory member, and a lever connected with said crank i'or actuating same.

4. In a switch-stand, the combination with an actuator for the switch, of a base, a member pivoted to said base and connected ith the switch actuator a member reciprocatively mounted on said base and having means for actuating and locking said pivoted member, a pillo\vblock supported by and secured to said base, a crank revolubly supported by said pillow-block having means for actuating said reciprocatorymember, a lever connected with said crank for actuating same, and means for locking said lever in its set positions.

,1. In a switch-stand, the combination with an actuator for the switch, of a base, a member pivoted to said base and connected with the switch actuator, a member reciprocatively mounted on said base and having means for actuating and locking said pivoted member, a pillow-block supported by and secured to said base, a crank revolubly supported by said pillow-block having means for actuating said reciprocatory member, and a lever connected with said crank for actuating same and having its free end weighted.

(3. In a switch-stand, the combination with an actuator for the switch, of a base, a member pivoted to said base and connected with the switch actuator, a member reciprocati\cl v mounted on said base and having means for actuating and locking said pivoted member, a pillow block supported by and secured to said base, a crank revolubly supported by said pillow-block having means for actuating said reciprocatory member, a lever connected with said crank for actuating same and having its free end weighted, and means for locking said lever in its set positions.

7. In a switch-stand, the combination with an actuator for the switch, of a base, a member pivoted to said base and connected with the switch actuator, a member reciprocatively mounted on said base and having a slot, nieaus borne by said reciprocatory member for actuating and locking said pivoted member, a pillow-block supported by and secured to said base, and a crank revolubly supported by said pillow-block having a crank-pin, which projects into the slot in said reciprocatory member for actuating sanic.

N. In a switch-stand,the combination with an actuator for the switch, of a base, a

member pivoted to said base and connected with the switch actuator, a member reciprocatively mounted on said base and having a vertical slot, means borne by said reciprocatory member for actuating and locking said pivoted member, a pillow-block supported by and secured to said base, and a crank revolubly supported by said pillow-block having a crank-pin, which projects in the slot in said reciprocatory member for actuating same.

9. In a switch-stand, the combination with an actuator for the switch, of a base, a member pivoted to said base and connected with the switch actuator, a member reciprocatively mounted on said base and having a slot, means borne by said reciprocatory member for actuating and locking said pivoted member, a pillow-block supported on and secured to said base and having a central opening to receive the slotted portion of said reciprocatory member, and a crank revolubly supported by said pillow-block and located in the opening of the latter, said crank bearing a pin, which projects into the slot in said reciprocatory member for actuating same.

10. In a switch-stand, the combination with an actuator for the switch, of a base, a member pivoted to said base and connected with the switch actuator, a member reciprocatively mounted on said base and having a slot, means borne by said reciprocatory member for actuating and locking said pivoted member, a pillow-block supported by and secured to said base and having a central opening to receive the slotted portion of said reciprocatory member, and a double crank revolubly supported by said pillowblock and located in the opening in the latter with its crank pin extending through the slot in said reciprocatory member to actuate same.

11. In a switch-stand, the combination with an actuator for the switch, of a base, a member pivoted to said base and connected with the switch actuator and containing a cam slot, and a member reciprocatively mounted on said base and bearing a pin, which projects into the slot in said pivoted member for actuating and locking same.

1:2. In a switch-stand, the combination with an actuator for the switch, of a base, a member pivoted to said base and connected with the switch actuator and containing a cam slot, a member reciprocatively mounted on said base and bearing a pin, which projects into the slot in said pivoted member for actuating and locking same, and said base having means for guiding the movement of said pin.

13. In a switch-staid, the combination with an actuator for the switch, of a base having a slot, a member pivoted to said base and connected to the switch actuator and containing a cam slot, a member reciprocatively mounted on said base andbearing a pin, which extends through the slot in said pivoted member and projects into the slot in said base.

14. In combination with a pivoted member connected to the switch and an auxiliary member to lock the switch, an element of cruciform, means to slidably support the horizontal parts of said element, one of said parts being for engagement with the auxiliary member to lock same, the lower of the vertical parts of the element being for engagement with the pivoted member to actuate the latter, and means connected to the upper of the vertical parts of the element to reciprocate same.

15. In combination with a pivoted slotted member connected to the switch, a vertical member, rigid means engaging said vertical member to slidably support said vertical member, said vertical member having its lower end engaged in the slot of the pivoted member to actuate same, and having its upper end slotted, and a crank engaged in said slot of the upper end of the vertical member to slide said vertical member.

16. In combination with a pivoted member connected to the switch, a vertical member, horizontal arms on the vertical member, rigid means to slidably support said arms, the lower end of the vertical member engaging the pivoted member to actuate the latter, and means connected to the upper end of the vertical member toreciprocate same.

17. In combination with a pivoted member connected to the switch, a vertical memher having its lower end engaged with the pivoted member to actuate the latter, horizontal arms on the vertical member arranged between the ends of the latter, rigid means to slidably support said arms, the upper end of the vertical member being slotted, and a vertically oscillating crank engaged in said slot of the vertical member to actuate the latter.

18. In combination with a base and a pivoted member on the base connected to the switch, a vertical member having its lower end portion engaged with the pivoted member, means to mount said vertical member to enable same to slide in a straight line, rigid guiding means on the base to engage the lower extremity of said vertical member, and means to reciprocate said vertical member.

In testimony whereof we hereunto afiix our signatures in the presence of two witnesses.

HENRY E. BILLMAN. LEO R. MANN.

Witnesses:

GEORGE G. ANDERSON, WALTER C. GUELS. 

